- Jan 1 Maurice Leyland, English cricket batsman (41 Tests, 2764 runs @ 46.06; Yorkshire 1920-46, 1,000+ runs in 17 consecutive seasons), dies at 66
- Jan 6 Johnny Keane, American baseball manager (World Series 1964 St. Louis Cardinals; NY Yankees), dies of a heart attack at 55
- Jan 7 Sid Emery, cricket leg-spinner (NSW & Aus, 5 wkt in 1912 series), dies
- Jan 17 Barney Ross, American welterweight Boxing Champ (1934), dies at 57
- Jan 18 Reese "Goose" Tatum, basketballer (Harlem Globetrotters), dies at 45
- Jan 23 Holcombe Ward, American tennis player (US Nat C'ship 1904; President USLTA 1937-47), dies at 88
- Jan 28 Shunter Coen, South African cricket batsman (2 Tests, HS 41no, @ 50.50; Orange Free State), dies at 64
- Jan 31 Eddie Tolan, American sprinter the "Midnight Express" (1932 Olympics), dies at 58
Baseball Players
Basketball Stars
Boxers
Footballers
NFL Stars
Tennis Champions